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Barn Room Update!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

It has been a bit of a surprise to me that it would take over a year before I really felt like our new house became a home. It's not like I didn't know every single nook and cranny of it after working on it for a year and a half!

I really love my upstairs Barn Room/Craft Room. It is open to the downstairs so I never feel isolated or separated from the rest of the house. I think that is partly why my grand-girls love it up here so much - they are never shut off from the rest of us!

I have recently been working on finalizing a few details in it that have finally made it exactly how I pictured it in my mind, only better!

If you read my original Barn Room post here, I told you about the built in's that we did into the walls between the dormer windows. (There is only one dormer window in the Barn Room, the other two are over the Living Room.) I hated the wasted space that was being closed up in those walls, and so Eldon framed them so that we could eventually build shelving. So, finally we had time to get that project done and I love it. These are open shelves in the READ part of my room and the way the walls slant down in the built in's, the two bottom shelves are very deep. I actually have books stacked two deep in that part.

It creates a great library area with the old couches that I've had forever. We sit here a whole lot. When we have company, they inevitably end up here!

I told you earlier this week about the old cedar chest that I refurbished (here) and put in the dormer window area. I took the above picture with my cell phone yesterday when Jillian was here for the night. She loves the window seat. I found her here over and over the last couple days! So I think it is a big hit!

In the CREATE part of the room instead of open shelving in the built in, Eldon built shelves inside and then put on doors so that I can hide all my crafting junk!

On one side he built shelves very spaced out so that I can put my sewing machine, serger, and other large bulky crafty things.

The other side still holds my paper crafting cabinet; however, I am on the hunt to replace this mess with something a little better. (I'm open to suggestions) Mostly, I love that I can close the doors!

I still have my old dining room table up here because it fits, it is great for crafting and sewing on, it also serves as more eating area when we have a house full of company. (Which we have had numerous times and I'm so glad I can say, "All the kids can take their food upstairs to the table up there!")

My daughter and I were recently given a bag of quilt squares that were purchased at a garage sale. We looked them over and I stuck them away for a project. I was thinking I really wanted to brighten up the slanted wall areas (since it is just about impossible to hang pictures or anything on a slanted wall) and I was thinking a Bunting would work. I remembered those quilt squares! So this Bunting project literally turned into a 30 minute project by folding them in half and sewing bias tape along the top edge to join them all together.

I really love how bright, cheerful and lively it makes the room. I was pretty sure when Eldon saw it he would say, "It looks like a Circus in here". So, I waited for days and finally I asked him what he thought and he was confused. He hadn't even noticed it!! That made me laugh!

So now, to answer a few questions that I get in emails quite frequently.

What do we think of our floors?

I love, love, love these floors. If I could have them throughout the entire house I would. They are easy to clean, they hide dust and dirt, they give a very warm feeling, and they just go with everything. Which is surprising because they are sort of a grey/blue color. They are called Dunes Bay Driftwood from Lumber Liquidators.

How have my ironed on to the wall letters held up and do I like them still?

I really love my letters. They have worked very well on those crazy slanted ceiling/walls and they haven't even remotely begun to peel off. However, because I have had so many people email me and ask if they really can be peeled off without ruining the sheet rock and paint finish, I did remove one of the letters to test it. And YAY! No problems at all. They are a great way to brighten up a room. (You can read the post I did about them here.)

Where did we get the art work on the back wall and what is it actually?

I never even thought anyone would notice this art work, much less ask about it. We were looking for something "barn-ish" but, well. You guessed it... with color. Eldon was the one who found these prints on internet. We bought the prints and I framed them. They are basically Farmyard Folk Art and very fun! You can go to the website here. The Artist is Walt Curlee and the prints we purchased are: Shucking and Storing Corn, Taking Pumpkins To Market, Cultivating The Peas. He has all sorts of others that are just as fun.

How do we feel about the pine plank ceiling?

The wooden plank ceiling is the best thing ever. I hate sheet rock. I mean I seriously HATE it. If I could do it over I would have NO sheet rock in my house. So, that is probably one of the reasons I love the wooden plank ceiling! But this is the disadvantage to it. Because it is real wood (not MDF) and it is pine, the knots have bled through the paint and are a pine/yellow color. Probably I should've sealed it first and then painted with an oil base. I still could do that. But, oddly enough, I sort of like the knots and things showing through. So for now I've chosen to just leave it.

Am I going to paint the ugly book shelf?

Just kidding. No one asks me that but myself. The problem is this. This bookshelf was made by Eldon's father about 60 years ago. I sort of hate to mess with it. BUT, it has some structural work that needs to be done (see how it is bowed in the middle?) and Eldon really wants to fix it. So... I suspicion I will paint it at that time. For now, it works. And I really, really love how useful it is. (Don't open the doors... things fall out!)

And finally... my next project that I have cut out for me. My stair wall. I've been looking at this for 2 years now. Even before we finished our house I was wondering about this wall. I have some really great visions in my brain for an awesome gallery wall. BUT, I don't want the generic gallery wall. I

want it a little vintage and fun.

But it is front and center in the living room which I've kept a little sedate. So, it's time to get with it and figure it out! I'll keep you posted!

I love this post! How fun to have a playroom for yourself. Crafting with the girls and well, everyone. I understand about his dads bookcase too. Your cows, horse & doggie pictures on canvas! Make them colorful & then incorporate farmhouse vintage decor for the gallery wall! Kathleen in Az

Kathleen - oh I like that... a playroom for myself! :-) Yes... you are on the same track I'm on with that stair wall! I actually have some awesome pictures of my parent's New Mexico Ranch that I want to incorporate there as well. I have it in my mind, but unfortunately I've learned that having it in my mind doesn't mean it works! :-)

That's a dream craft room!! So nice to have a place like that to share with the girls. The extra table seating is great for kids too when you have a house full. They will love this space as they get older too...can be off on their own sort of , without being too far away. You have done a great job with your new house!Patty

I just love your barn/craft room....actually pretty much love your whole house, my dear friend!It is wonderful your grands live right down the road and get to enjoy it so much with you ♥lovely, lovely Dori :)

I think I agree with Jillian. What a perfect little book nook to cozy up in. You've done such a lovely job in making your house a home and I think your grandkids will have such fond memories of times spent there with you.

It looks fabulous. And what brilliance to put bookcases and a craft closet under the dormers. I'll have to remember that one if we move to a 2-story house. What a wonderful place to create, cozy up with a good book and just chill.

I am delighted to have found your gorgeous blog and to be able to see inside your home. You have such amazing style. I would enter this room and never ever want to leave. It is so cozy, comfy and just plain happy. I love it. Your blog is simply joyful.I am your newest follower.Connie :)